On economic matters, no one really knows what is about to happen, with one possible exception.  It is demonstrably certain inflation into 2022 will continue increasing.  Beyond that, after pumping $9+ trillion into the U.S. economic system under the guise of COVID relief, we are entering some very uncharted waters.

On a macro level, CTH has an idea what is likely to take place in the next three years; however, before getting to that, allow me to present evidence for the underlying supposition.   As you can see from this Biden message, shaped entirely by politics, on an economic basis the people around him have no idea what the downstream consequences of 2020 and 2021 will present in 2022:

The team behind Joe Biden brag about the U.S. economy being the only economy to continue growing during the COVID-19 pandemic period.  Their top line reference point is the Gross Domestic Product, or GDP.  Their brag is the U.S. GDP did not shrink during 2021 and the COVID pandemic.

However, what they omit (for political reasons) is that massive U.S. spending and bailouts covered the GDP hole.  More than $9 trillion was injected for stimulus payments, blue state bailouts, payroll protection programs, rent moratoriums, school subsidies, medical payments to hospitals, student loan payment pauses, vaccination purchases, covid sick pay and years of continually extended and enhanced unemployment benefits.

They also omit that none of this domestic spending would be possible if the global trade currency did not take place in dollars.  Our value is propped up by the fact that almost all trade takes place in U.S. currency.   If that system was not in place, congress could not spend this much money without collapsing the U.S. into a devaluation position resembling what happened previously in Greece.

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Hopefully everyone has done their preparatory diligence and are well situated to assist their family, because prices on fast turn consumable goods (groceries) are now less than 30 days from entering exponential increase phase.  CTH has been counting down the days to impact as the contract terms of 30, 60 and 90 days have begun expiring.

The Wall Street Journal has seen the first pricing notification memo from Kraft-Heinz food group to the buying offices of major U.S. retailers.  Here’s how the WSJ presents it: “Kraft Heinz Co. told retailer customers that it would raise prices across many of its products including Jell-O pudding and Grey Poupon mustard, with some items going up as much as 20%, according to a memo viewed by The Wall Street Journal.”  VIDEO:

Keep in mind a few points:

(1) The outlined price increases noted are against current price terms and contracts.  Meaning, these are price increases from right now to the next fulfillment.  These are not inflation price increases which are compared to a year ago.  These are 5% to 20% increases from the current price right now.

(2) The price increases are not the final price increase.  This is the price of a contract today from the field to the distribution center.  The retailer also has additional price increases (transportation, energy, labor, etc) which they need to add to the wholesale price before you see the final price at retail (grocery store).

The final field to fork price is not yet known but will be higher than noted above.  We are only seeing the notifications from field, through processing and into warehousing and distribution.

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The CDC changed guidance on quarantine times yesterday, highlighting their motive as always driven by politics and money, not public health {Go Deep}.  Many people immediately recognized this, but the visible intent of the change is problematic for the government institutions.

To defend the administrative state, the media -incapable of admitting what is transparently obvious- now need to reconcile the CDC quarantine changes through the false prism of public health.

The result is 100 percent demonstrable gaslighting.  Look at this spin:

(Philly Inquirer) – “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines this week for what people should do if they’re exposed to or contract COVID-19, following new research that shows most transmission occurs early in the course of illness.

The update comes as people return home from holiday gatherings with friends and family, and schools prepare to reopen — as the highly contagious omicron strain continues to spread. The new guidelines, which reduce the amount of time asymptomatic people must quarantine at home after exposure, are an attempt to reduce the risk of transmission while minimizing the disruption to people’s daily routines.” (read more)

Everything about that claimed justification for the quarantine changes is demonstrably and provably false.

Last night Dr. Anthony Fauci openly admitted the only reason the CDC changed the quarantine times was because they needed to help corporate employers reduce sick time, or time “out” of work.  Twitter Video:

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Yesterday, more than 7,300 airline flights were canceled or delayed {link} due to COVID-19 panic, and more specifically, Omicron variant infections amid the airline industry.  Apparently, airline employees calling out sick, positive tests and quarantines. That’s their story, and they’re sticking to it.

Today, 5,085 delays so far, and another 2,930 flight cancellations [Via FlightAware].

As reported in The Hill:

(Via The Hill) […] Airlines have said they are struggling with staffing issues as many members of their workforce are calling out of work due to contracting the coronavirus. The U.S. has seen a sharp uptick in cases as the highly transmissible omicron variant continues to spread.

More than 7,300 flights in the U.S. were canceled or delayed on Sunday. On Christmas, American Airlines cited “a number of COVID-related sick calls” for the delays, but said its operation would be “running smoothly.”

American Airlines, Delta, SkyWest and United all issued statements to The Hill, citing a spike in COVID-19 cases among their workers as well as the winter weather for the high volume of cancellations. (more)

Oh, it’s gonna get worse, much worse.  We are only just scratching the surface right now.

White House Occupant Joe Biden: “There is no federal solution.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg: “What, me worry?”

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Today is actually a stunning day in the world of COVID transparency and the manipulation of COVID for political benefit.

After the White House tried the Omicron “winter of death” narrative, they suddenly realized what some (including myself) had mentioned earlier.  When you require something, you are by nature of that requirement taking ownership of the outcome.

The Biden administration mandates -writ large- mean the government has to take ownership of the outcome.  Thus, if government tests are required then government is responsible for testing.

The problem is, when any entity takes ownership, they are setting themselves up for accountability and criticism.

White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain should have been prepared for that; but, like all things in Biden’s crazy world of ‘throw it at the wall and see what sticks’ policy making, the White House had no system, plan or intent to take ownership of anything – nor are they going to.

Today, Joe Biden officially tries to take the U.S. government out of the COVID mess by saying “there is no federal solution” to the crisis their COVID-19 response created.   Yes, JOE BIDEN SAID THAT.  Directly and without any pause as to the ramification of what he was saying or reading.

For two years Joe Biden has critiqued, criticized, complained and promised that his administration would handle the spread of COVID-19 and all the downstream consequences.  Today, all of that is summarily trashed -as if it never existed- and the White House proclaims that individual states are now responsible for every outcome on their own.  WATCH (40 seconds):

https://youtu.be/_veYmrxAjn8?t=43

Why the shift?  Because the crisis they created is about to be very visible, on a local level, in every town.

Obviously, the White House can NOW clearly see the looming crisis they have created by their COVID policies, dictates and mandates.   A genuine shitstorm is unfolding in real time, and I guarantee you CoS Ron Klain (and the crew behind Biden) have been given detailed, specific briefings and information about the scale of the national COVID mess that is about to surface.

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On one hand, the Omicron variant of the Rona is so dangerous that forced vaccinations are mandated, thereby eliminating medical autonomy and freedom for all mankind.  On the other hand, the Omicron variant of the Rona quarantine time is being reduced from fourteen days to five.

From the perspective of the global governing elite, a widespread Omicron variant might disrupt their services…. Something must be done.

(Via Wall Street Journal) – Government leaders are adjusting recommended quarantine periods to minimize workforce shortages and scrambling to boost testing capacity to limit the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday that critical workers—including those in education, healthcare, transportation, grocery stores and sanitation—who tested positive for the virus will be allowed to return to work after five days under certain conditions.

[…]  Those returning will need to remain masked, Ms. Hochul said. “We need you again, we need you to be able to go to work,” Ms. Hochul added.

New York state’s move comes after the U.K. shortened its quarantine period to seven days for vaccinated people, and some airline executives wrote to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seeking an adjustment in agency isolation guidelines to avoid disruptions to operations.

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Unfortunately, we really cannot rely on BLS data, Commerce data or general information from the mainstream media to get a pulse on what’s really going on with products and prices on Main Street USA.  Factually, your ground reports have consistently been the accurate reflection of what’s happening in the various states and regions around the country.

With that in mind, what’s the latest situation in your area with COVID rules, prices on stuff you buy every day, and the availability of products and/or services in your community?

Specifically, people would be interested to know what the climate is toward the COVID rules, regulations, masks etc. in your city, town, hamlet or local community?   How are things overall?

What’s the impact of inflation and supply chain disruptions like around you?  Gas prices, grocery prices, home heating or energy prices etc.?  Also, if you are having any difficulties finding products that you normally purchase?  What are your family, friends and neighbors saying about it.

In short, how are things around you this holiday season?   Use the comment section to provide an update on your general area.   Your ground reports are always insightful and provide a good & accurate sense of how things are going on Main Street.

#FJB

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Joe Biden went back to the White House stage set today (always weird) to read from his script and hold a broadcast zoom meeting with the supply chain and inflation ‘task force’ led by Brian Deese.  [Read Transcript Here]

The occupant of the White House proclaimed that gas prices have dropped ten cents, the port container backlog was almost fixed, and all the retail sales shelves are stocked for Christmas purchasing.   Smiles everyone, smiles.  [Excerpt Below]

♦ A couple of overall notes.  Biden is proclaiming a massive improvement in the port backlog in California.  However, a more careful review of the specifics from the ports themselves, via John Porcari, reveals this nuance: “The percentage of — the number of long-dwelling containers — the ones that have been there eight days or more — has been cut in half.”  The percentage of, the number of, 8+ day delayed containers has been reduced by 50% in the past two months.

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The White House occupant cannot afford to lose the little support he has left from the fractured sheeple masses and special interest groups.

With polling collapsing Biden’s influence on an almost daily basis, Chief of Staff Ron Klain deployed the puppy strategy. Not surprisingly that fell flatter than curling ice, and making matters worse, people realized to the Biden family dogs are politically disposable tools for optics only.  Add on the rebuke of the Build Back Better spending boondoggle and, well, there’s panic in the corps.

According to the White House, the U.S. economy is doing great, things are perfect and getting better.  The economy is doing so well, students can’t afford or find jobs to pay back their loans.  Wait a min.., wha… huh?

WHITE HOUSE – […] “today my Administration is extending the pause on federal student loan repayments for an additional 90 days — through May 1, 2022 — as we manage the ongoing pandemic and further strengthen our economic recovery. Meanwhile, the Department of Education will continue working with borrowers to ensure they have the support they need to transition smoothly back into repayment and advance economic stability for their own households and for our nation.” (read more)

Pay no attention to the conflicted messaging.  You are not allowed to ask the question: if the economy is so great, then why do former college students need even more time to start paying back their loans?   Remember, in order for moonbat Democats to continue advancing their insane ideology, they must pretend not to know things.

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Joe Biden makes no sense, and unfortunately Joe Biden doesn’t know he makes no sense.  Instead, the current installed occupant in the White House just shouts about talking points the champagne socialists bring up at their cocktail parties.

Overall inflation is crushing the middle class on a cross-sectional scale I have never before witnessed in my lifetime.  Every sector of the economy on Main Street is simultaneously under fire from unavoidable massive increases in prices on all types of goods.

Food, fuel, energy, gasoline, transportation, raw materials, every single sector is under massive inflationary pressure.  Biden believes that he can offset these massive costs to the average American worker by providing subsidies for some childcare, some education and some prescription costs.  He really believes this, yet everything about this subsidized cost approach is wrong.   Listen to the longer version of his explanation (3 minutes):

Despite the popularity of these leftist talking points, there’s no truth to them.

The government cannot subsidize its way to prosperity by redistributing the wealth of workers.  The government cannot stop inflation and simultaneously print money. The high cost of childcare is not keeping women out of the workforce.  Nothing is free from the federal government.  The federal government earns no income, it confiscates the income of workers.

The “17 Nobel Laureate” economists he proclaims support his Build Back Better deal to reduce costs for the middle class are the same “17 Nobel Laureate” economists who claimed, wrongly, inflation was “transitory” six months ago.  They have since retracted their prior claims, because it was all based on nonsensical Wall Street propaganda.

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